Vehicle-body.



No. 805,668. PATENTED NOV. 28, 1905.

H. H. RICE.

VEHICLE BODY.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 23, 1905.

UNITED STATES OFFICE.

)LIS, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR TO POPE OF JERSEY CI'IY,'NEW JERSEY, A COR- VEHlCLE-B'ODY.

l'o all whom, it may concern.-

' Be it known that I, HERBERT H. RICE, a citizen of the United States, residing in thecity of Indianapolis and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Vehicle-Bodies, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof.

The invention relates to improvements in IQ vehicle-bodies, and particularly to means for attaching a storm-apron, whereby the apron may remain permanently secured to the vehiole-body ready for immediate useand in such position that the occupant of the vehicle may 5 raise the apron without exposure.

A further object of the invention is to provide a suitable receptacle where the apron may be stored when not in use, which shall be weatherproof and shall completelyeonceal the apronexcept when it is being used.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a side elevation of a vehicle-body with the storm-apron raised, the dash being shown partly in section. Fig. 2 isa detail 5 sectional View of the dash, showing the apron stored in the receptacle provided therein.

Although the invention is applicable to almost any style of vehicle-body, it is herein shown as applied to the body a of a motor-car 3 zivlhigh is provided witl the usual steering-han- The front portion of the body or dash is made box-shaped by means of an outer wall or dash proper, c, which may be curved or otherwise shaped, and an inner wall 4], substantially vertical. Preferably a cross-piece or support 0 is arranged between the end pieces of the dash to which the front wall may be secured and which provides an additional 4 support therefor. A horizontal partition f divides the space between the walls into two separate receptacles or compartments. Access may be had to the upper compartment by any suitable opening; but preferably the '45 upper half of the wall (Z ishinged to thelower half or is made of some flexible material, such as patent-leather, which will bend back, thus forming a door or cover /1 The apron j is permanently secured to or 5 near the edge of the dash, so it .may be entirely covered when the receptacle is closed,

and is secured to the outside of the dash, so

that any water, snow, or other substance that Specification f Letters Patent. Application filed January 23,1905. Serial No. 242,288.

Patented Nov. 28, 1905.

may be received thereon will be shed over the front of the dash. Preferably the apron is rolled before being put into the receptacle, as

shown in Fig. 2. as it thus occupies less space .lap the attached end of the stormapron and conceal same from view except when the apron is in use. 'Studs or other suitable fastenings are provided for the cover or door on the outside of the dash, which preferably are made ornamental, and thus add to the appearance and the finish of the vehicle.

In the construction above set forth the storm-apron may be kept neatly stored ready for use when required-and is always accessi- .ble with the least possible inconvenience to the occupant of the vehicle. While being used the apron cannot be blown away or displaced by the wind, as it is securely fastened at the bottom, as Well as at the top, and since it is attached to the outside of the dash not only is the water or snow effectually kept outof the vehicle, but the occupant enjoys the maximum space and comfort. It will be noted also that much less material is required to construct the apron as above set forth than when it is allowed to hang loosely over the front of the vehicle. Not only is the position of the apron particularly convenient, but space which otherwise would serve no practical purpose is utilized with but little additional cost, and at the same time the appearance and linish of the vehicle-body is improved.

I claim as my invention In a vehicle-body, the combination with a dash, of a storm-apron permanently attached to the dash on the outside thereof. 7 means for storing said apron when not 2. In a vehicle-body, the cox. dash having a receptacle fern therein, a storm-apron adapted to be ll'iClCSi in said receptacle. and having one end permanently secured to the outside of the dash, a door for closing said receptacle, and means provided on the outside of the dash fox securing the door.

3. In a'vehicle-body, the combination of a pertments,estorm-apron permanently secured to the dash upon the outside thereof and adapton the outside thereof, a flexible door for closed when not in use to be stored in the upper ing sei'd receptacle and adapted to overlap and compartment upon the horizontal partition. 5 conceal the storm-apron when said door is This specification signed and witnessed this 5 closed. and means on the outside of the dash 17th day of January, A. I). 1905. to secnie said door, substantially as described. HERBERT H. RICE.

4. 11111 vehiele-body, the combination of a In presence of dalsh having two conipiirtments formed there- E. A. CULLEN, iv in, ehorizontel partition separating said comi W. C. JQI-INSON.

I dash having a receptacle formed therein, a storm-apron permanently attached to the dash 

